Supreme Court considers CBI probe into allegations over ED raid at I-PAC office

MP, August 20, 2026, Kolkata: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may hand over to the Central Bureau of Investigation the probe into allegations that former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed an Enforcement Directorate raid at the office of political consultancy I-PAC in January.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria was hearing the ED’s plea seeking registration of an FIR and investigation against Banerjee and police officials accused of facilitating the alleged obstruction.

The possibility of a CBI probe emerged after senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for Banerjee, submitted that the change of government in West Bengal meant that the state police could now investigate the allegations.

The bench, however, indicated that it was inclined to grant the ED’s request for a central probe.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed any resolution based merely on the change of government, saying the ED did not want the investigation transferred to the CBI in a manner that could later invite allegations of political motivation.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju also urged the court to examine whether the CBI could investigate allegations against a sitting chief minister who also holds the Home portfolio.

The bench indicated that it would consider both the maintainability of the ED’s writ petition and the merits together.

The court also observed that Banerjee’s alleged presence at the I-PAC premises would be a matter for investigation.

The hearing will resume on September 2.